Guwahati: Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicated 11 projects worth over Rs 31,500 crore to the nation and lay the foundation stone for them in Chennai on Thursday.
These projects aim to accelerate infrastructure development, improve connectivity, and increase the region’s ease of living.
While addressing the gathering, Modi expressing his delight in returning to Tamil Nadu. He recalled hosting the Deaflympics delegation and claimed that India’s performance this time was the best of the event.
The Prime Minister congratulated everyone who received a home as part of the PM-Awas Yojana’s historic Chennai Light House project.
He said “This has been a very fulfilling project as we began a global change. And the first job was completed in record time, and I’m delighted it’s in Chennai.”
Modi also dedicated five projects totalling Rs 2,960 crores to the nation. The 75-kilometer Madurai-Teni (Railway Gauge Conversion Project), which cost over Rs. 500 crores to build, will improve access and enhance tourism in the region. The 30 km long third railway line between Tambaram and Chengalpattu, built at a cost of approximately Rs. 590 crores, will enable more Suburban services to run, providing more options and improving travel comfort for passengers.
The programme also saw the inauguration of 1152 dwellings built under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Urban as part of the Lighthouse Project – Chennai, which cost Rs 116 crore.
The Prime Minister also lay the foundation stone for six projects that will cost over Rs. 28,540 crores to complete. The 262-kilometer Bengaluru-Chennai Expressway will cost about Rs. 14,870 crores to construct. It will cut travel time between Bengaluru and Chennai by 2-3 hours by passing via the states of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu.
During the event, the foundation stones for the rebuilding of five railway stations, namely Chennai Egmore, Rameswaram, Madurai, Katpadi, and Kanyakumari, were also placed. This project, which would cost over Rs. 1800 crores to complete, is being done to improve the convenience and comfort of travellers by providing modern amenities.
The Prime Minister also lay the foundation stone for a Rs. 1430 crore Multi Modal Logistic Park in Chennai. It will offer many features as well as seamless intermodal freight movement.
The Governor of Tamil Nadu, R. N. Ravi, the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, M K Stalin, and Union Minister L Murugan were among those in attendance.